With his utmost efforts, he was unable to cross the river; and the road towards Bordentown remained open.

About five hundred men, among whom was a troop of cavalry, stationed in the lower end of Trenton, availed themselves of this circumstance, and crossing the bridge in the commencement of the action, escaped down the river.

The same cause prevented General Cadwallader from attacking the post at Mount Holly.
With great difficulty a part of his infantry passed the river, but returned on its being found absolutely impracticable to cross with the artillery.
Although this plan failed in so many of its parts, the success attending that which was conducted by General Washington in person was followed by the happiest effects.
Had it been practicable for the divisions under Generals Irvine and Cadwallader to cross the river, it was intended to proceed from Trenton to the posts at and about Bordentown, to sweep the British from the banks of the Delaware,[51] and to maintain a position in the Jerseys.

But finding that those parts of the plan had failed, and supposing the British to remain in force below, while a strong corps was posted at Princeton, General Washington thought it unadviseable to hazard the loss of the very important advantage already gained, by attempting to increase it, and recrossed the river with his prisoners and military stores.

Lieutenant Colonel Baylor, his aid-de-camp, who carried the intelligence of this success to congress, was presented with a horse completely caparisoned for service, and recommended to the command of a regiment of cavalry.
[Footnote 51: A fact has been stated to the author which shows to what an extent the plan might have been executed had it been possible to cross the river.